Puget Sound Radio

In recent years, Seattle radio and TV has changed dramatically and not necessarily for the better. Changes started to appear during the 2008/09 recession with numerous layoffs, especially with the radio groups

Seattle Radio Greats presents radio legend Lan Roberts...

Boxing Day saw the birth of funny men Steve Allen and Alan King, actors Jared Leto and Eden Sher, musicians Ronny Prophet and Chris Daughtry, and ‘America’s Most Wanted’ host John Walsh. The WSM Barn Dance began a Saturday night tradition on Nashville radio, soon becoming the ‘Grand Old Opry.’ ‘Big Sister’ ended its 16 year run as a daytime soap on CBS Radio; Victoria’s 107.3 switched off the Christmas music, and introduced KOOL-FM, with ‘Today’s Best Music’; ‘The Shadow’ ended its 24-year radio run; and ‘Search for Tomorrow’ ended its 35 year run on first CBS-TV, and for the last five years, NBC. Obits Dec. 26th include Jack Benny, Jason Robards, Nigel Hawthorne, Fontella Bass, wrestler Gorgeous George, and LA sportscaster Stu Nahan. ALL the milestones for the date INSIDE.

Born on Xmas Day were Rod Serling, Jimmy Buffett, WKRP’s Gary Sandy, Barbara Mandrell, Sissy Spacek, and bandleader Leighton Noble, who lived out his retirement years in Victoria BC. Trail BC got its own radio station when the experimental 10AT signed on; Milton Cross hosted the first Metropolitan Opera broadcast; Bing Crosby performed ‘White Christmas’ for the first time on NBC radio’s ‘Kraft Music Hall’; and Walt Disney made his first foray into TV. Obits this day include Dean Martin, W.C. Fields, Eartha Kitt, Joan Blondell, and the ‘Godfather of Soul’ James Brown. ALL the milestones for Christmas Day INSIDE.

Members of the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, which represents on-air reporters, have an expired contract. According to one employee, KOMO’s HR has told employees they will not get the bonus.

Happy Birthday to Ryan Seacrest, Ricky Martin, Canadian Steve Smith (whom you know better as Red Green), and actor Mark Valley. The BBC aired radio’s first play, ‘The Truth About Father Christmas’; the ‘Voice of Firestone’ began its 27 years of light classical music on US Monday night radio; Dickens ‘A Christmas Carol’ starring Lionel Barrymore (pictured) began its long run each yuletide on the radio networks; a Midnight Mass was televised for the first time on NBC, beginning a nearly 70 year tradition thus far; and Perry Como made his TV debut as NBC televised his ‘Chesterfield Supper Club.’ Checking out on Christmas Eve over the decades were actors Jack Klugman, Charles Durning and Peter Lawford, CBS president Frank Stanton and producer James Komack. ALL the milestones for the date INSIDE.

During his final game at Husky Stadium, Rondeau — who abhors the spotlight — reluctantly allowed us to follow him and chronicle a special day filled with emotional send-offs, tributes and another UW blowout victory in the 110th Apple Cup.